Louis DuBois Bassett

Lewis Dubois Bassett, son of Zacheus and Elizabeth (Dickinson) Bassett, was born 7 Jan 1828 near Daretown, Salem County, New Jersey. He married Caroline Titus, daughter of Joseph and Rohda (Peterson) Titus, on

22 Nov 1854 in Philadelphia, Pennsyvlania. She was born 7 Sep 1830 in Salem County, New Jersey. She died 13 Feb 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lewis started making ice cream using mule and salt. He sold it at market in Philadelphia at 2nd and Arch while still living in Salem County, New Jersey. When the family moved to Philadelphia, he opened a store at 5th and Market selling sandwiches and ice cream. He then moved to the Reading Terminal Market in the late 1800's. This store is still run by Bassett descendants.

1861 — Louis Dubois Bassett, a Quaker school teacher and farmer, begins making ice cream in his Salem, NJ backyard using a mule-turned churn.

1885 — L.D. begins selling his ice cream from a location at 5th & Market Streets in Philadelphia.

1893 — The Reading Terminal Market opens; Bassetts Ice Cream opens a retail store and moves production into the basement.

1906 — Lewis Lafayette continues operations after the death of his father.

1917 — L.L. dies; his wife, Louise Austin Bassett, assumes management until her son is ready to take over.

1925 — Lewis Lafayette, Jr., the third generation, takes over management of the ice cream store and production at the age of 21.

1935 — L.L., Jr. ships 10 quarts of ice cream, packed in dry ice, via freighter from New York through the Panama Canal to the American Embassy in Tokyo. The voyage takes several weeks but the ice cream arrives in perfect condition.

1959 — L.L., Jr. produces 50 tubs of borscht sherbet for Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

1961 — Bassetts celebrates its 100th Anniversary.

1973 — Production is moved to 20th & Fairmount Streets in Philadelphia.

1974 — Ann Bassett, great granddaughter of the founder and daughter of L.L., Jr., joins the company.

1975 — Bassetts begins the largest expansion in the company’s 114-year history.

1976 — Ann Bassett is named President after L.L., Jr. retires after 51 years.

1983 — Michael Strange, great-great grandson of the founder, enters the family business.

1986 — L.L., Jr. dies at the age of 82.

1989 — Michael is named President; Ann is CEO.

1996 — Bassetts introduces the Bassetts Ice Cream Sandwich.

2000 — Bassetts introduces website.

2001 — Bassetts celebrates 140 - year anniversary!